Importance of The Document
One of the components of the book of Daniel is the rise and fall of world empires. When the book begins, Daniel and others had been taken captive to Babylon, the first of the empires referenced in Daniel. Three others would follow in one form or another. Each would come and go. One after the other would have its time of dominance but would eventually fall and be replaced. These powers had differences that made them unique, but in each case, their dominance would only last for some time, at the most just a few hundred years. I say this to introduce a topic that we might not really want to talk about. Our nation has reached that average life span that we see in nations throughout history. Great powers only last about as long as what we have endured. Is there something we might be able to do, to change this trend in history?
At the top of the list of things to consider is the place that we put God in our nation. Do we honor Him? Do we give Him a seat at the table as we chart the course that we will follow? Do we give relevance to the principles of life that He deems crucial? If God is who He says He is, then He has power over all the peoples of the earth and has the final say in every matter of life (Isaiah 40:15). So, it makes sense if we are pulling away from God and going in many respects away from God, He will at some point replace us as He has historically done in the past. This could be discussed at great length, but I want to talk about another aspect. When our Founding Fathers put things together at the beginning of the United States of America, they painstakingly put together a document the would govern the course of this nation. It had the potential to stand the test of time if the people of this nation would stick to it. It was crafted by men of whom many desired that the principles of God would be at the forefront. So there is a tie even in this document to giving God His place in our nation. Our country is not based on a political system; it is based on a "document." One of the ways that weaken us is to change or reinterpret what was designed to last. The rationale is that this is a changing world, and this document must change to keep up. Some of its writers seemed to understand that this would be disastrous.
I see this even more clearly in Christianity. God gave us a document to keep us on track. It was written over many years by many people under the guidance of God (II Timothy 3:16, Hebrews, Hebrews 1:1). It was to show us God and who He is and to tell us how we can know Him and experience Him for eternity. It was purposely written to show us the way to God. But again, some believe that it is old and outdated. Times have changed, and it is no longer relevant to our times. It's "fairy tales," it has no impact on life as we know it today. As a result, people change it or interpret it to their liking, or throw it out the window. Thus the relevance of the Bible is being taken out of Christianity. I understand if you are not a "believer" that you don't accept the Word of God. But why would those who claim to be "Christian" throw away the document that is the foundation of this belief system? If you're not a believer, I will challenge you to reconsider this document. It has the answers to life.
My goal is to help us see the importance of the document. Whether we are talking about our nation and its Constitution. Or whether we are talking about Biblical, historical, Christianity, and the Word of God. Then as a person of understanding, you should be committed to standing for not only the importance but the necessity to give them their rightful place.
Pastor Lynn Rettig
Musselshell Community Bible
Church
DO YOU BELIEVE, REALLY
I just finished reading 2 Kings 7! What a great, mighty, all-powerful God we serve!!! I am filled with awe when I read such a chapter – and there are several like throughout the Bible. God says that without FAITH it is impossible to please Him. Do you want to please Him? Then turn up your faith. What is faith? It is defined beautifully in Hebrews 11:1 which plainly says,” for faith is the substance (the confirmation, the”title deed”) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality – faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.” Amplified version.
By faith, Elisha went to the king in the midst of a major famine where people were even eating their own children and many were dying. He told that king that food would be dirt cheap by the same time next day. The captain of the guard scoffed at him, berated him and was given a dire prophesy for his lack of faith.
But our God is a God of miracles! He worked one in this chapter – you can read it for yourself in your own Bible – and food indeed became plentiful again during that night. God loves to do the impossible. People will scoff and disbelieve and curse, but God is Almighty and can do as He pleases. I just praise Him every day that He only wants good for us poor sinful humans, and not evil. He even purchased us with His own blood – the precious blood of Jesus. But we don’t want to accept Him. We want to believe the fake news that says human error caused the Iowa caucus fiasco. Don’t you see God’s hand in that? Are you so blind that you can’t see God causing confusion in Iowa in 2020? Oh, you think He only did miracles in the Bible – WRONG! He is a miracle working God and He loves to control His handiwork God is the one in control, not the Republicans or the Democrats or any other human being.
Example: I have had 7 discs in my back replaced. 3 in 2006 and 4 in 2016. Still, I have been in 24/7 constant pain in my back for 3 years. Months ago, I began taking communion every night before I go to sleep. I forgot a couple of times, so took it in the morning and again at night. Jesus gave us that communion for our healing. The body for healing, by His stripe we are healed, the blood for total forgiveness of sin. Two days ago, without any warning, I had absolutely no pain in my back! It was unbelieveable. I thought it was something I had done so I tried it again – no pain the next day. Today, I KNOW it was God and He has healed my back. All I can do is praise Him. No pain, no pain pills, freedom!
Do you need a miracle? I did. He is the only Healer I know and He lives inside of me. Does He live inside of you? Have you received Jesus into your life? God can do anything except fail. That He cannot do. Read 2 Kings 7 and believe, have faith, God will not fail you. The prophesy to the captain came true. God never lies, either. He has always done what He said He would do and I believe Him totally.
Rev. Joyce Kaplan, M.Div., Retired United Church of Christ pastor.
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